Horrific stomach bug that wipes out cruise ships rips across California 

Norovirus is ripping across Northern California as dozens are falling sick with horrific symptoms.

The “extremely contagious” virus is sweeping over western San Francisco, Marin, Novato, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and parts of Redwood City and San Jose.

The virus, often referred to as the stomach flu or winter vomiting bug, causes vomiting, diarrhea and cramps and can hit anyone of any age.

It comes after 153 people were struck down with norovirus on a Princess Cruises ship packed with Americans in the Caribbean.

But WastewaterSCAN said on Sunday that it was also rife in the Bay Area after finding traces in treatment facilities across the region.

Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at UC San Francisco, told SFGate: “It is extremely contagious. And people don’t wash their hands, especially kids.”

She continued: “[It often begins] at salad bars and cruise ships and places where people congregate closely.” Dr. Gandhi added that it does not matter if it is hot or cold weather.

More than 150 people onboard a Princess Cruises ship became ill with norovirus during a Caribbean voyage last week.

The outbreak occurred aboard the Star Princess during a voyage from March 7 to March 14, according to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which monitors illness on cruise ships.

Those reported sick included 104 passengers and 49 crew members — out of 4,307 passengers and 1,561 crew members in total, the CDC said.

The outbreak was reported to the VSP on March 11, less than a week after the voyage began.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters